Automatic declutching means



1943- c. w. BRYANT 2,327,980

AUTOMATIC I DECLUTCHING MEAN 5 Filed Dec. 22. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3- c. w. BRYANT 2,327,980

AUTOMATIC DECLUTCHING MEANS Filed Dec. 22, 1941' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 invention is the provision. or a novela'rrange- "Hereto f ore it has been possible for serious dents to occur due tothe fact "that in many cases Patented Aug. 31, 143

aszmsof; H n awoManonEoLU'rCi'n G MEANS 1 H ,Qorwin WLBryaJrt, Downers Grove, lll., assignor toCrane 00.,

nois A plication December 22, 1941,Jsasmsmsn f v (Cl.192 48) ment .0! gearing for driving a valvehaving combined .motorand hand operating meansthere'for with clutches on the gear and motor respectively which constantly engage until such time as the 'handwheel and the integral clutch provided is manually .moved into engagement with a further clutch on the gear. The latter operation automatically disengages the motor until the manual 1 jl rssiire on the han'dwheel is released whereupon thelmotor automatically again becomes engaged to the valve operating gearing.

Another important object of this invention is the provislonof a novel actuating means "featur- .ing a floating gear selectively operatedby either the motor or the handwheel andin whiohmeans the engagement of one 'gear automatically dis engages theotherQ l Another and still further important object of this invention is to provide a 'motoroperated 30 valve means capable of being operated by hand simply and withouttheadditional eifort ordi narily caused by the turning ofthe motor by the "handwheel in present valves, because in this instance" the means o't'operation not in use is imme- 35 diately disengaged f permitting the actuating by thenonaactuatingpperation means." i The primary purpose. of the construction genmeansto operatexireely without beinghampered erally described above -is to insure greatersafety.

acci

-a switch was innocently thrownjfrorn a remote point, causing motor operation "of the valve to occur while the valve at the'sametime was being 45 [operated 'manually. The result. in most cases was the incurrence offinjury to the manual operator generallyarising trombeing bodily thrown byathe increased rotation oithehandwheel influence of remote operation.

under Other and QIurther important objects ofthis invention will become apparent: from the disclosures made in'tthe :following .gspecification and accompanyingdrawingsyinwhich,

, .Figflis .avertica'l sectionalassemlily view :0! 55 with itsend nut .25.:the lattermemberserving the dual: valve operating means embodying my invention and applied .to a .conventional valve,v

i and with the motor in engagement.

Fig. 2;is a-similar fragmentary sectional assembly view showing the manual means oi operation in .engagement,and with the motor disengaged. V Fig. 31's ayplan view of the clutch lug arrangef ment-of-.-the external sleeve. I

Fig. Q is-a plan view of the clutch lug arrange- I ment of the piniongear. H H Fig. 5 is a plan viewof the clutch iug arrangement otjthe inner'sleeve. Y

7 gear :3 istkeyediof the, yoke sleeve 5'.

Reierringto Fig. .1,;the reference numeral 1 generally indicates a cpnventional valve body having the customary end flanges 28 suitable-for connection .to a pipe line. Attached by means of bolts (not shown)' the valve body is provided with the bonnet 3| At the upper portion-of. the latter structure, the yoke sleeve 5 and the bearingsfl are assembled with the operating stem 2 \non-rotatably held to the yokesleeve 5 by means of the keyJ, the assembled valve being known as the nonrising stem type'of valve; However, the particular. typeo-ivalve selected is not significant in relation to the application of this invention. "A valve pr the rising stem type-mayalso .beused, invwhich case' the stem is not rotated,

ibut-allowsior the usual rising stem by rotation of theflyokefsleeve .5, in 'which case the driven In the usual installation requiring both .motor and manualbperation, it is desirable to operate the, pinion '6 by either the motor or. a handwheel in order that operation ofsthe valve may be'manually performedat the situs of the valve, or ifathe vmotorishczuld ifail for some unknown reason it is imperativerthat hand operation also be convengently-available. ltis, however, not desirable to i have themotor turn the handwheel when in ope'rationw or, .contrarily, to have the-handwheel -turnthe motor when it is operatingjthevalve. It is-the purpose of -:my invention to have the 'taryclutehjaws 9 and. H are positioned. .Opernation Of the zrnotor or prime mover 12 "causes a "rotation of-gthe shaft l3wwhichhas the inner isleeve I6 slidably keyed thereto as at. H. A com-1 plementary clutch ll ispreferably a unitary part f :Of the inner sleeve :|;6,-as.is the-guidings'tud 211 I are assembled in operative engagement.

sleeve l 8 is positioned having at its lower end portion the clutch IS. The respective sleeves l6 and I8 rotate independently of each other,'but are movable axially together. The latter. movement is obtained by means of the shoulder 2| on the outer sleeve l8, with the spring 22 acting on the shoulder 23 near the upper end ofthe sleeve IS, with the end nut 25- applied to the stud 20 for assembly of the sleeves. The coiled spring 22 positioned between the end of the motor shaft I3 and the inner sleeve shoulder 23 acts to urge the inner sleeve l5" upwardly and maintain the clutches H and ll in operative engagement.

' As better shown in .Fig. 2, the handwheel or other manual operating means 24'is fixedly attached to the external sleeve 18 by meansof the adapter member 33 and the attaching studs 34.

Upon rotation of the hand wheel 24 similar ro-, tation of the external sleeve I8 is effected.' It is thus apparent that mere rotation alone of the 'handwheel 24 will not operate the valve 1 nor will it disengage the clutch ll-- l|. It is necessary to move the handwheel 24 axially'thereby moving the external sleeve l8 downward and .t:

causing an engagement of the clutch I9--9 and a disengagement or separation of the clutch jiaws II and H. Rotation of the handwheel 24 after such preliminary axial movement causes a similar rotation of the sleeve -4 8 and an operative engagement'with the gear 6 by means of the clutch I99. The rotation of the pinion gears effects a rotation of the gear 3 and with it the resultant operation of the valvel. The pinion gear 6 is provided with a housing Zfi'whichhas mounted thereover the handwheel yoke sleeve hub 21. De pending from the' yoke sleeve hub2'! is the annular bearing 8 adaptedto provide journalin means for the pinion gear '6 in cooperation with *the bearing 1 projecting upwardly from the caplike element 28,'which' is mounted over the upper end portion of themotor l2 .and around the shaft 13." Obviously the bearings 1 and Bmayb replaced'with any type of bearingssuch as ball or roller bearings, if desired.

Thus with the construction described, if the motor is operated at some remote control'station from the valve the motor is normally in engagement with the pinion gear 6 if no attempt isbeing 'made to operate'the valve by hand. -It will be apparent that the spring 22 lifts the sleeves l6 and l 8'to their highest position and thereby autoimatically engagesthe clutch H--|1 and disengagfes' the clutch 9 49', In valves of this type wherein motor and hand actuating means are supplied it is possible to leave the handwheel engaged, making it impossible to operate the 'valve 'bymotor at 'a remote position until such time as a "clutch lever or the like has been moved at the -'site of the-valve. In this proposed construction there isnever any danger of the motor being disengaged from the valve and therefore it can be operated at theremote control station at all times regardlesslof which actuating mean had been .us'ed'immediately prior thereto,

It is clear that numerous changes may be made and the particular details of the construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles disclosed herein. It is desired therefore not to limit the claims appended hereto otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art. 7

I claim:

1. Valve actuating means having a dual operating mechanism comprising a prime mover and a shaft therefor, a hand actuator, a gear having clutch means on opposite faces thereof, a pair of sleeves telescopically movable relative to each other and rotatable independently of each other, one of said sleeves being rotated by the said prime mover and having a clutch surface thereon suitable for engagement with one of the clutch means on the said gear, the other of said sleeves cooperating with the said hand actuator and having a clutch surface thereon for engagement with the other of said clutch means on the said gear, resilient means jointly maintaining the clutch surface on one of the sleeves in engagement with the clutch means 'on said gear and for normally retaining the clutch surface on the other of, said sleeves out of engagement with the clutch means on said gear. V

' 2. A selective clutch mechanismof the character described, operating means therefor comprising a motor, driven means'cooperating therewith, manual operating means, a gear between the said motor and the said manual operating means, a pair of axially aligned'sleeves between the said motor and the said manual operating means'and oneof said sleeves'cooperating to interlockably engage the said driven means cooperating with the said motor, the other of said sleeves cooperating to interlockably engage with the manual operating means, and means for selectively and positively engaging either of said sleeves with the said gear to effect either manual or; motor. operation. g r '1 3. In an actuating mechanism comprising, in combination, a prime mover, a shafttherefor, manual operating means, an intermediate member interposed between the said prime mover and the said manual operating means and adapted to be selectively engageable by either the prime mover shaft or the said manual operating means, a rotatable sleeverengaging the said-prime mover shaft, a' separate sleeve axially I aligned-therewith and cooperating with the said manual operating means, clutch means on each of the said sleeves for cooperative engagementwith the said inter- .mediate member, each-of the said sleeves being relatively movable axially, whereby one clutch engages one portion of the intermediate member when the other of" said, clutch means is disengaged from the otherportion of the said interme- .4, A valve operating mechanism comprising, in

diate member to effect either-manual or motor operation. I I

combination, a prime mover, a shaft therefor, manual operating means, a driven member interposed between the said prime mover and the said manual operating; means and'adapted to be selectively operated-byeither the prime mover shaft or the said manual operating means, an inner sleeve rotatably' engaging the saidip'rime -mover shaft, ,a superposed outersleeve cooperating with the said manual operating means, clutch means on each of the said sleeves for selective engagement with the said *olriven member; means for effecting predetermined axial movement of leach of said sleeves simultaneously, whereby when outer sleeve member. =1 1 i i r 7. A valve ,xactuato'r or the like comprising a; shaft toibe rotatably actuatemi'a'driven gear der means on'oneof thesaid sleevesand means 5. A valve operating; mechanismor r the like comprising in combination, a power drive'n I r, shaft, manual operating means, an intermediate member adapted toibe selectively ,engageable by either the said power drivenshaft or] the said t manual operating means, an inner sleeve rotat ably engaging the said powerdrivenshaft, a sue a ,pei'posed outer sleeve rotatablyengaging thejsaid s "manual operatingmeans, clutchmeansyon feachj of the said sleeves for cooperative engagement with the said intermediate member, means for a moving the saidsleevesaxially-together; whereby i when one of said clutch means on said sleeves engages the intermediate member the other of saidclutch means is disengaged from the intermediate member; anannularlshoulder on thef saidouter sleeve suitable for engagement'with an annular shoulderwon the said inner sleeve, ref. silientmeans actingagainst the annular shoul i der of the said inner sleeve to urgethe said sleeves 1; t a upwardly, whereby the said power driven shaft f I is normally in, engagement with the' saidpinter mediate member, a :j ,g; j

6. Avalve operating mechanismjor the vlike: comprisingkin combination, a motor; a shaft; v therefor, manual operating means, an intermey diatemember adaptedto betselectively operated byeitherthe motoror the said manual operating means, Ian inner sleeve rotatably eng'agingithe ,saidwmotor shaft a superposed outersleeve'ro tatably engaging' the said manual operating means, clutch means on eachpf said sleevesior cooperative engagement? with the said interme-' diatemember, means for moving the said sleeves I axially simultaneously to provide that when one 1 gelutch meansengages 'oneporti onwf the said "intermediate member the other clutch means' is disengaged from the said intermediatemember,

thesaid outer sleeve having an annular.shoulder, an annular-shoulder onthe saidinner sleeve,

resilientmeans moving upwardly against the an 1' nula r shoulder of the said inner sleeve tonor- :mally urge, the said sleeves upwardly, the said i I inner sleeve clutch means thereby normally en"- gaging thesaid intermediate member, whereupon; "downward movementof the said manual operateve'and it clutch 'i'ng means causesthe inner r means to, disengage the intermediate member and permits the clutch means associated with the keyed to the saidshaftga driving gear engaging r a i -2,327,15

,1 one clutch engagesthe said'driven member[ the Y i other clutch is disengaged from the sjaiddriven;

,member, the said means for ,efiecting said move-1.; ment of the said sleeves together comprising s'houlto engage the jsaid intermediate including a motor, a shaft therefonand manual operating means, an innersleeveonthe saidmo annularshoulder on'the outer of said sleeves for 110 support of the'said inner'sleeve, the said inner tionjof fthe saidflouter sleeve, clutch means on eachside of said driving} ear, clutchmeans asv 8. Valveactuatin'g means comprising a rod to be actuated, a gear arranged toefiect rotation of the said rod, a pinion gear engaging the firstnamed gear, dual means for operating the said ,pinion gear, the said fldualfmeans comprising a motor, a shaft therefor, manual operating means, a sleeveassociated with the said motor "shaft, a

foperating means cooperating'with the first of ciated 'with each of the saidsleeyes, thetsaid "sleeves upwardly, one ofthe sleeve clutch means normally engaging one of said "clutch means on 40 the said pinion gear, whereby a depressing move- ,one Ofthe sleeve clutches withcne of the clutch means of said pinion gear and'simultaneousdfs lmeans from the other of the said clutch mean s of thesaid pinion gear. Y

ter described, operating means ing amotor, driven means cooperating therewith;

in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions,

I aligned sleeves located between the said motor and the said manual operating meansgone of said crating means, andomeans for selectively engaging either of said sleeves with thegsaid gear toeffect either manual or motor operation.

"the driven gean selective means for operating I the said driving gear; the "said selective means,v

tor shaft,- a telescoping outer sleeve cooperating t with the said manual operating means and adaptedlto move axially with'the saidinnersleeve and to'rotateindependently thereof, an internal" sleeve having 'an internalannular shoulder re I l I silient means for normally maintaining the shoul-v der ofthe said innersleeve against aninner pore sociated with each of the saids sleeves, whereby Jone t the. said sleevesgnormally engages onlyorient the said clutchesofsaid driving gear to separate sleeve associated withpthe said manual saidsleeves; means on one of the said sleeves for F theysupport or theotheriof said sleeves, resilient means positioned between :thesaid Tmotorshaft and one of: the said sleeves, clutchmeans on each sidejof said pinion jgear,;a'clutch therefor asso resilient imeans normally impelling the said ment of the manual means eifects engagementzof f engagement of the other of the sleeve clutch J 9. A selective clutch mechanism: 'ofthe charace v therefor compris-' manual operating means ,for eflecting rotation v a gear positioned between thesaid motor and the 1 I said manual operating meansr-a pair of axially sleeves cooperating withthe said motor, the other i of said sleeves cooperating with the manual op-" conwm w. 

